The Labour and Consumer Division from the Ministry of Internal Affairs met with the students from the Pa Enua, participating in the BCI Business Challenge Trade Day.

This was a great opportunity to raise awareness about the legal rights and obligation in the business world. As the Director of Labour and Consumer explained, these young entrepreneurs represent the future of our economic prosperity. They are the next generation of employers and traders and therefore should be made aware of the legal responsibility coming with that status. The aim of the presentation was to expose the students to the contents of the Employment Relations Act 2012, the Fair Trading Act 2008 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 2008. Acknowledging the importance of financial literacy as well as entrepreneurship skills, the Director added that knowledge and awareness of the legal framework was also key to owning and driving a successful business. The feedback from both the students and the teachers was positive and request was extended to have this presentation included in the regular annual preparation for the BCI Business Challenge Event.

The Price Tribunal has issued the July Price Order 04/2017 for Rarotonga and all islands reflecting reductions in prices for petrol, diesel and LPG.

There is a 7 cent per litre decrease in the maximum wholesale and retail prices for petrol on Rarotonga, a 2 cent per litre decreases for diesel and a 5 cents per kg decrease in LPG. The maximum retail price that petrol can be sold to the public on Rarotonga is $2.03 cents per litre, $2.00 per litre for diesel and $4.16 per kg for LPG.

“The price reductions reflect an oversupply in fuel which has placed some downward pressure on global prices for petrol and diesel,” stated Price Tribunal President, Tatiana Burn, “however, despite the marked drop in global prices for LPG over May and June, we are expecting larger LPG price reductions to the Cook Islands will appear over future price orders later this year.”

Price Order 4/2017 sets the maximum allowable retail prices for petrol, diesel and LPG on Rarotonga and all Pa Enua. Full details of the new prices are contained in the new published price order and can also be accessed by contacting the Consumer Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The new prices will take effect from 15 July 2017 and will remain in force for the next two months until the next price order is issued in September 2017. Price inspections will be carried out and breach orders will be issued where there is non-compliance.

Consumers should expect to see the new prices clearly displayed at service stations for these price controlled

The ministry of Internal Affairs wishes to share this Media release from the Cook Islands National Youth Council and wish their New Committee members the best for the coming Year and hope to continue to work in partnership in empowering Youth in the Cook Islands….

“In an official meeting, held on the 9th of February, the Cook Islands National Youth Council moved to replace outgoing President Ms. Naomi Manavaikai, who stepped down from the position in the same meeting. In true solidarity, Ms. Manavaikai expressed to the council that she had found the role to be rewarding but rather demanding and was happy to step down to allow for another member to lead the council. She will continue to support the work of the council as a committee member.

In the same meeting, Ms. Sieni Tiraa was voted in as Ms. Manavaikai’s replacement, and has now assumed the role of CINYC president. Ms. Tiraa brings much enthusiasm and vitality to the work of the council and is more than ready to lead the team.

Other positions that became vacant at the said meeting included the Treasurer and Secretary. The role of Treasurer, vacated by Mr. Papamama Pokino, has now been taken up by Ms. Nukutau Pokura. The position of secretary, which was vacated by Ms. Tiraa after being elected President, was taken up by Ms. Piakura Passfield who is willing to assist the council to achieve its aspirations. In addition, Rotaract president, Mr. Daniel Fisher has rejoined the Council and Ms. Roimata Wilson resumes her role, both as committee members.

The Cook Islands Youth Council has a strong team with many passionate members wanting to ensuring and advocating for the best for our young people, in partnership with government and non-government stakeholders.

If any aspiring young activists out there in the community would like to become part of the council as a committee member, just contact Ms. Sieni Tiraa on 81423, email cki.nationalyouthcouncil@gmail.com or drop us a message on Facebook for more details.

The Minimum Wage Review panel kindly invites the Public to attend the Minimum Wages Review Public Oral Submission Meeting, to be held at the Sinai Hall in Avarua on the 20th February 2017 from 5pm – 7pm.

The meeting initially organized for the Friday 17th February at the INTAFF premises is cancelled.

Deadline for written submissions remains on the 20th February 2017, COB.

The Price Tribunal is pleased with some improvements in fuel prices in the Pa Enua following the introduction of new margins for the Southern and Northern islands, as issued in the latest Price Order on 16 January 2017.

“There was a need to review the fuel price margins in the Pa Enua, as we recognised that they were outdated and not reflective of actual costs to supply fuel,” stated President of the Price Tribunal, Tatiana Burn.

“It is pleasing to see that progress is being made by Pa Enua retailers to comply with lower prices than has been the practice,” stated Burn, “and in particular, we congratulate Atiu as the first of the Pa Enua islands subject to Price Order 01/2017 to be fully compliant with the new petrol and diesel prices and commend those retailers on Atiu for this.

“The benefits to Atiu consumers is a 22% price reduction on petrol and a 25% reduction in the price of diesel compared with what was previously charged.”

Price inspections are carried out in the Pa Enua by Ministry of Internal Affairs’ officers on each of the Pa Enua. Following inspections over the past few weeks, a number of price order breach notices have been issued and continued non-compliance will result in legal action against those retailers.

Under Price Order 01-2017, the new maximum retail prices to the southern group is $2.87 for petrol and $2.80 for diesel and $3.02 for petrol and $2.95 for diesel in the northern group. Any non-compliance with these prices should be reported to the Internal Affairs’ Officer on the island or directly to the Senior Consumer officer on Rarotonga.

The LPG margins to the Pa Enua are still under review with new margins expected to take effect in the March Price Order at the latest. Consultations on the new margins for LPG will continue with Pa Enua Retailers.

In addition to Atiu, there is full compliance of retail prices of petrol, diesel and LPG on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.